9.3.09

A Phone Call

The phone rang by my hospital bed last night. It was Pau Gasol.

I placed him on the speakerphones so Sergio could hear, then gave Pau the assurances that I was in good health. The doctors state I have a sore neck, a right hip “pointer” and a bruised chest. Pau expressed vast relief; as we chatted, Pau told me that Trevor Ariza’s nom de hoop is “the Cobra.” This derives from Ariza’s ability to strike unexpectedly from behind on defense.

Sergio smiled at this; he knows snakes give me a revulsion! The conversation with Pau concluded:

Pau: Trevor is here. He’s wondering if you want to team up with him at next year’s slam dunk competition?

With that quip, I found my neck hurts more when I laugh. As for Sergio, he too has a stiff neck from sleeping in the chair by my bedside last night. A true friend! And many thanks for the kindnesses that my mates, friends, and so many strangers have bestowed upon me.

As to the flagrant foul, I was struck from behind, so I have no firsthand insights. As stated to a reporter, “I think it's two easy points for me and when I received the foul I think, 'Where is the floor, where is the floor?’” When I was hit and pulled from the air, there was a moment of flailing and panic.

At less than 190 pounds, I am not a man of much gravity, But even so, the landing impact was substantial. My winds were knocked from the lungs!

Viewing the video now, if the game's scores were close, I would view a defensive gamble of Ariza’s type sensible. But as the match was vastly in our favor, his act appears reckless to my eyes.

As to Ariza’s apologies, I accept them in the spirit they were offered. And when next the Lakers come to town, I hope my mates and I blow them out again by pouring points down on their faces!

Links of Auspiciousness

Rudy's Hypothetical Rules of Basketball

1. In ten years, nobody will remember the details of score, assists, or rebounds. They will only remember who won them a chalupa.

2. Any shot worth shooting is worth shooting twice.

3. When not shooting on offense, you should be communicating, passing, and running. Also, yell “Foul!” repeatedly. Why? How can officials summon help if you yell “Good D!” or “Our opponents are superior!”?

4. If legitimately called for a foul, say, “A good call!” (Do this no more than once a game.)

5. When in possession of the ball, have a plan. Further, have a back-up plan, because the first plan won't work (unless you are Brandon Roy).

6. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. (Both Oden and Pryzbilla provide these in abundance.)

7. On defense, ignore words and direct your eyesight to the ball. (Opposing Cleveland, LeBron James told me he would pull up for a jumper. I advanced upon him. Then James drove baseline with great speed. Both of my ankles gave way!)

8. The faster you begin an opponent’s blow-out, the more shots everyone will get.

9. Be polite and professional to everyone you play against. Then destroy them, for they wish to defeat you.

10. Practice shooting in a dimly-lit practice area with someone shouting unflattering threats at you. (I found this useful in Europe, where partial power outages were not uncommon.)

11. You may feel sad about snapping another team’s back with a clinch alley-oop or a clutching 3-pointer. But sadness is preferred to losing. And the winning will then bring happiness. (In the case of defeating the Lakers, the happiness will be most pronounced.)